Unlikely

Chapter Six: Need

I watched as she marched out of the cafeteria, continuing straight and out of view. "What the hell happened?" Jesse asked with concern in his voice?

"I don't know, but I think I should go check on her anyways." Abby made a move to walk away but Jesse grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"Whatever has her heated she'll tell us about later. We should just leave her alone."

We sat in tense silence, wondering about what had happened. After a few moments, they started coming up with their own theories. "Did her mom text her something bad?" Jesse suggested.

"She wasn't on her phone, I don't think so." Abby answered. After a pause, "Maybe it was an assignment she forgot to do? She had a notebook out and you know how she gets about turning in assignments late."

"No, that was her Bio notebook, we don't have anything due 'til Friday."

"Hm."

"Well maybe-"

"Maybe someone should just ask her and find out." I interrupted, annoyed with their unwillingness to go talk to her. They just stared at me blankly and I readjusted my attitude. "Sorry." I immediately stated. I wasn't sorry, but they didn't have to know that. "We were supposed to go over something during lunch and she just left. Just wanted to make sure she's good is all."

"She'll be okay." Jesse stated sincerely. "Storming off is kind of her thing. If she wanted us to follow, she would have lingered around a bit."

I wasn't convinced, but they seemed okay with that answer. And being as new as I was to the group, who was I to disagree? I sat uncomfortably for a moment before Abby spoke up.

"Oh, and about that thing you guys were supposed to go over, just bring it to my place tonight." I looked at her questioningly and she continued with clarification. "Tuesdays are study nights. We're on hosting rotation, so tonight Jesse and Olivia are coming over to my place."

I looked at Jesse who was concerned with his food more than this conversation. "And you sure she'll show? I mean after that?"

"Oh yeah, she'll show." Jesse piped up, food in his mouth.

"Never misses a study night." She added.

"Hm, okay." The rest of lunch was simple enough. Jesse and Abby mainly talked to themselves and occasionally would loop me into the conversation. I'd jump in occasionally, but their responses were short. There were no explanations like what Olivia had given me about lunch snacks and I very quickly felt like a third-wheel. It got tedious after a while and I wondered how the heck Olivia did it.

When a reasonable time came to excuse myself, I took the opportunity. Ten minutes before lunch ended so I could 'go to my locker'. They didn't care, only stopping me when Abby realized she had never given me her address. She prompted me to give her my phone, which I did.

"There." She handed it back to me, "You have my number. Text me for the address and I'll add you to the group chat."

"No prob." I stated before walking away and heading out 'to my locker'. The hot air hit me like a brick wall and I grimaced at the bright sun. Looking down didn't help because the pavement reflected a bunch of light towards my face.

Literally hell, I thought to myself as I walked towards the direction she'd taken me yesterday. I didn't know if she was going to her locker, but even if she wasn't, I'd see her in class soon. Despite what Jesse and Abby said, I did want to know what had happened to her.

But as I walked, I heard my name being called and I turned to the side to see Lacey making her way out of the cafeteria. "Hi!" She greeted eagerly once she'd reached me.